Savannah State Tigers get measurement game against SIAC rival Albany. Why they fell short.
Savannah State is trying to rebuild its football program and what better measuring stick to see where you stand than lining up against Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s preseason favorite Albany State.
Last season, the Golden Rams went undefeated in conference play and advanced to the Division II playoffs.
And they’re 6-2 this season, 4-1 in the SIAC, after a hard-fought 31-20 victory over the Tigers on Saturday at T.A. Wright Stadium.
“Yes and no,” said Tiger coach Aaron Kelton about using the game as a barometer. “I think this league is a tough league. I give (Albany State) all the credit for the way they performed and stayed composed. We want to be like them.”
SSU football 2022: 5 questions as the Tigers enter first season under coach Aaron Kelton
SSU played Albany State competitively and had the ball with a chance to win before the visitors returned a fumble for a touchdown in the final minute to balloon the margin of defeat.
A year ago, the Tigers managed just 59 offensive yards against ASU in a 30-0 shellacking.
This year, SSU outgained the Golden Rams 165-102 in the first half and finished with 256 offensive yards.
Here's what else you need to know about Savannah State's loss.
Savannah State needed a gamebreaker at QB. Tigers found one deep on their depth chart.
Waved-off penalty changes momentum
Facing second-and-14 from the Tigers’ 22, SSU wide receiver Da’Shun Mitchell appeared to draw a pass interference penalty after contact from defensive back Jaree Turner. An official threw a flag. Then the officials convened and waved off the flag. On the next play, quarterback JT Hartage fumbled. ASU linebacker Malik Barnes picked up the loose ball and scored the Rams’ final points.
Quarterback Hartage has career-best game
Hartage, who shared time with starting quarterback Jadon Adams, completed 13 of 19 passes for career-high 197 yards and a touchdown. Hartage also ran for a score.
Hartage topped his previous high of 158 passing yards against Clark Atlanta on Oct. 15.
Tigers need late season surge
SSU’s record slipped to 3-5 overall, 2-4 in SIAC play, and will need wins in its last two games to finish .500.
Albany tailback earns game ball
Albany State’s sophomore running back JaQuez Williams ran 27 times for 153 yards and a touchdown. Williams scored on a 1-yard blast in the first quarter.
Fort Valley next up
The Tigers will play host to the Central City Classic at Henderson Stadium in Macon next Saturday (Oct. 29) against Fort Valley State.
He said it ...
“We fought to the last whistle. We played like an underdog. We haven’t had a great season this year. I know they probably came in thinking it was going to be easy, but we fought all the way to the fourth quarter.” – SSU quarterback JT Hartage
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah State football loses SIAC game to Albany State Rams
